The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-13
Grapes for Family Use.

New England Farmer.
In selecting place TO plant grape vine re,
mem Der that the plant needs great amount OF
sunshine-sun heat 1t can not get 1t on the
north side of lding, or wood lot, or high MIL
Do not set a grape vine close oy the Sink dram
where 1t will be surfeited with moisture all the
season, nor in a cold, dry loan IN reglons wner6
the season is little too short. but put 1t wnere
its roots will he warm all summer. dry knoll!
may be better than mud hole, though good land
is best for the grape asSwel as for other fruits
provided it is not too cold or TOO wet. Varie-
ties that need forcing may be trained upon
the south or warm side of the house or other
building but it is better to have the trellis foot
two away to give abundant circulation OF air
about leaves and fruit The may be too
severe upon fruit that lies directly upon shingles
or clapboards. Most persons who grape
vines under reasonably favorable conditions
have little trouble In getting one crop of fruit.
1t is getting good crops continually that requires
skill and knowledge of the requisites to sue
cess. Few would etAa hen lay all winter and
then set her upon all the eggs she had laid, yet
this would be scarcely more unwise than to let
a grape vine carry all the fruit it might happen
to Successful grape growing requires q
good deal of pruning and thinning of the fruit
What we should aim for in grape culture Is an
annual crop of large, or falr-sized, ripe lunches
Large lunches can only grow upon large WOOD.
If we let two canes or two sections or vine grow
where there is only room for one, the two canes
or sections will both be dwarfed in size. the
leaves will be small. the lunches of grapes
small, and if this double production is general
over the entire trellis, the fruit will be slow In
ripening, and unless the season be long and
favorable may not ripen before frost kills both
fruit and foliage. Then again, If we let any
vine overbea one year it is weakened
for the next years work. So if we would have
the best quality of fruit every year we must
prevent overlooking.
In setting single vine to run over the sunny
side of ones house. and where there is ample
root space. it may not be best to always keep is
pruned SO close or restrict the amount of fruit
to a half dozen pounds, but If We would be sure
of a crop each year we must keep the vine down
to its capacity for well ripened fruit Varieties
hat UhniQ fol
should be set in the warmest situations. where
both root and leaf will get abundant sun heat.
Set vines in fall spring according 20 con-
venience. only be sure to set them early enough
in either If set in the fall there should be-
time for the earth to settle solid about the roots
before freezing weather sets In; If in the spring
set before the buds start.
The first year let the vine grow al. it will In
the fall cut back to one or two buds. The sec
ond years growth will be larger, and the cutting
back should be con tinued annually till the vine
has made strong large canes CAPABLE or bearing
large clusters of fruit. The trellis may be what
everyone fancies, the object being merely to sup
port the vine and expose it to the suns rays and
above danger of dirty fruit Have two ideas
constantly in mind, limited production OF
fruit the present year and large, strong. new
wood for the next years crop. This is about the
whole OF successful grape culture.
The vines may be tied to stakes or
trained wires stats best suits
ones convenience Cut hack old wood after the
crop is gathered and before the buds start in
spring Shorten the new wood to the vines
capacity for perfect fruit Check ver-grow.h
of new wood in summer by nipping or cutting
off the ends of the shoots two three times.
This will encoura age the growth of a few large
leaves near the clusters of fruit. and it is these
that furnish the sugar. Mildew, rot and other
diseases are encouraged by dense shade and
over-growth of leaves. while good circulation OF
air and an abundant sunlight promotes vigor
and good health.
By observing the rules and principles we have
here discussed, any one in fairly favorable To-
calities can ha We plenty of this most excellent
fruit and have it in perfection.